Obama: "Lay off of my wife"

Barack hits back hard on the accusation against Michelle's "pride" in being an American.  And he makes it clear that there will be consequences if his warning goes unheeded.

The threat?  You go after Michelle, and we go after Cindy.  And boy, do we have plenty to go after.  Secret tax returns, lobbyist connections, and my personal favorite -- stealing medications from charity.

Sharpen your swords, Kossacks.  Post your most damning (but substantive) criticisms of Cindy McCain in the comments.

UPDATE:  Clammyc's diary from a week or two ago talks about the dirty money.

•  Tips for bringin' it on

  Short diary, but I think Obama says it all, doesn't he?

  by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:48:11 AM PDT

  •  Yes, he says that wives are off limits

    Since he didn't say or even intimate one word about Cindy McCain, how about you aspire to do the same?

    by DemCurious on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:31:10 AM PDT

•  Take the high road, it's less crowded

  by science first on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:50:07 AM PDT

•  Can everyone see the video?

  It changed to just text of the link on my screen

  by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:51:05 AM PDT

  •  No

    Can't see it.

    revelwoodie, can you add a transcript?

    by True North on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:10:36 AM PDT

    •  It's back on mine again

      I think it must be the site.  Try refreshing.  Here's the link in the meantime:

      http://www.youtube.com/...

      by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:29:45 AM PDT

  •  Re: the video, did anyone else notice that

    in the clip of Michelle saying "this is the first time in my life I've REALLY felt proud ..." that the word REALLY was deleted?  That completely changes the meaning of what she said.  Watch it again and you can catch it.  We need to call out the media on distortions like this.

    by Lujane on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:22:15 AM PDT

•  Note note also...

  ... Behrhunter's diary below, which invokes the great smackdown scene from finale of "The American President" (w/video).

  by pat208 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:51:40 AM PDT

  •  "Note note"? Cheezits...

    ... I need to actually look at the Preview for it to be useful.

    by pat208 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:57:13 AM PDT

•  Great interview,

  and great response from Barack. However, I'd lay off the attacks on Cindy McCain -- it's what Obama is trying to get away from. That's his whole point.

  by AngryFinn on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:52:06 AM PDT

  •  Agreed

    I'm talking about substantive criticisms, such as talking about where the money comes from.

    by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:53:20 AM PDT

  •  Exactly. And call the GOP out for doing this.

    And their tactics are "low class".  Period.

    by icebergslim on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:54:50 AM PDT

    •  Spot on

      But I don't think just saying so is going to make them back off.  It's the 527s we have to worry about, and holding the threat of reprisals over John McCain's head is the only thing that will make him rein them in.  If he even can.

      by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:57:58 AM PDT

  •  Oh, I understand

    that officially the campaign should lay off Cindy,
    but anyone who argues with me about Michelle or even is  supporting McCain will get an earful about Cindy.  That Michelle should be getting any heat from her remark about pride is an outrage, given her background compared to Mrs. McCain.

    by myrealname on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:57:14 AM PDT

  •  They will not do so out of decency

    but if and only if it is clear it hurts them more than it helps.

    And there's a lot more substantive issues with Cindy McCain than  a distortion of a few words in a speech.

    by boadicea on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:09:24 AM PDT

    •  Frankly, we have to challenge the republicans

      everywhere. The American people will gravitate to the side which seems to be playing better offense. If we let attacks on Michelle go unanswered, not only with defensive rehtoric but also offensive rehtoric against cindy, we'll be playing the same old loosing cards we have to often before.

      by Zebras on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:13:27 AM PDT

•  Check out his toothy smile at the end.

  That's a classic aggressive expression.  I like it.

  by Mogolori on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:53:50 AM PDT

•  You go Barack!

  by ObamaManiac2008 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:55:26 AM PDT

•  This makes me uncomfortable...

  As someone who has supported Barack (and adored Michelle) since before he announced he was running, I couldn't help but think during his remarks:

  "Or What?"

  I mean, what is he going to do? The Republicans won't stop attacking Michelle, and now he seems to have revealed how much it frustrates him.

  So, Barack, what are you going to do about it? Don't just make empty threats.

  Considering the kind of campaign he wants to run, it would be difficult for him to go after John McCain's pill-popping, 8-home owning, terrorist-funding, corporate-jet lending, tax-return withholding, stiff, plastic, c*nt (his own words) sugar mama wife.

  Of course, I'd be happy to do it for him. ;-)

  by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:56:17 AM PDT

  •  Correct

    This isn't Obama's job -- it's ours.  We need to remind the Repugs that every attack on Michelle means louder and louder calls for Cindy's tax returns.

    by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:59:40 AM PDT

    •  Tax returns and SO much more! :-) n/t

      by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:10:18 AM PDT

    •  About those tax returns

      here's an interesting op-ed:

      Cindy McCain refuses to release her tax returns. This is not just a questionable political decision that threatens to haunt her husband's campaign for the next six months. It is also the wrong decision. Mrs. McCain needs to change her mind and release the returns as quickly as possible. How Republican John McCain, the presumptive presidential nominee who rightly fancies himself the king of transparency on Capitol Hill, and his campaign strategists can permit this open sore to fester is unimaginable.

      New York Times? Nope.
      Washington Post? Nah.
      Time or Newsweek? Guess again.

      It's from the Washington (Moonie) Times.

      When a right-wing rag is calling for Cindy's tax returns you know you're in deep doodoo.

      by Cali Scribe on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:11:55 AM PDT

  •  I don't have an issue with it.

    He went after the Tennessee GOP which put a skewed ad up on their website with a press release.

    Look, we know what is going to happen down the pike, it already started.  They have started a viral campaign against Michelle Obama.  Yes, they are going to go after her HEAVY, not light, but HEAVY.

    Just watch what unfolds.  He had a reason for making this statement.

    by icebergslim on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:01:08 AM PDT

    •  See, I know you're right...

      because Team Obama is typically 10 steps ahead of everyone else.

      I just need to be patient.

      by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:08:26 AM PDT

  •  Oh, and Michelle is his wife, not surrogate...

    but his wife, soulmate.  He did not argue with the TN GOP, he let them know in no uncertain terms that he is prepared for whatever they are about to dish out.  

    by icebergslim on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:02:23 AM PDT

  •  He didn't say, but the OP did

    he makes it clear that there will be consequences if his warning goes unheeded. The threat?  You go after Michelle, and we go after Cindy.

    There seems to be some conflation of identities here. Who's "we"? Who made "the threat"?

    by Miss Orange on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:04:09 AM PDT

    •  Wait...

      where did that quote come from?

      by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:09:04 AM PDT

      •  What quote?

        "Lay off my wife"?  That's at the very end of the video.

        by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:12:59 AM PDT

        •  No, this:

          he makes it clear that there will be consequences if his warning goes unheeded. The threat?  You go after Michelle, and we go after Cindy

          by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:16:14 AM PDT

          •  That's just me...

            ...from the text of my diary.  

            by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:17:41 AM PDT

            •  Oh!

              Sorry :-)

              by Potus2020 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:36:04 AM PDT

•  Damning and substantive?

  How's this: "homewrecker".

  by Malacandra on Mon May 19, 2008 at 09:58:44 AM PDT

  •  OMG! You mean she's destructive of

    FAMILY VALUES?!!?  

    by Fasaha on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:01:06 AM PDT

    •  Uh, yeah

      But probably the biggest fault lies with McCain's philandering ways after getting back from Viet Nam.  

      by Malacandra on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:02:23 AM PDT

•  Damn....

  the more I see of this man, the more I am incredibly impressed.
  Phew.  Quite a guy.

  You go Barack!

  by Lilyvt on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:03:33 AM PDT

•  There is a poltical "jujitsu" moment here...

  if Democrats want to take advantage of it. One of John McCain's strengths as a candidate (whether you believe it or not) is his "toughness" and fighting attitude that he would supposedly bring to the war on terror. But that could be flipped around against him very easily. By coupling Republican attacks on a Candidates wife, with John McCain's calling his own wife a cunt and a trollop, Democrats could turn his "toughness" into instability, and portray him as a guy who finds it much easier to be nasty to women than to another man.

  Have you ever known a guy who was all about being pushy and overbearing to women, but when a man stepped in they just cowered? That is the image of John McCain we could be painting of him. Basically, John McCain is a guy who verbally abuses his wife thinks its okay to go around attacking the wives of his opponents rather than saying things to their face. I think this would also help with alienated Clinton supporters, who for all their reluctance to vote for Obama would likely not want to vote for a Wife-Beater-in-Chief in the person of John McCain.

  by scooter86 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:04:45 AM PDT

  •  Really good point - could come up in a debate

    sort of Barack saying to John - why don't you come after me-not attack my wife - what are you afraid of??

    by VA Breeze on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:54:09 AM PDT

•  Is a leap of logic

  Yes Cindy McCain is the obvious counterpoint and there is enough documentation to build the National Cathedral , but pennies to donuts that the official JMC campaign won't attack openly Michelle and BHO's will not reciprocate officially either.

  by IamTheJudge on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:05:20 AM PDT

  •  It won't be official, and but McCain

    promised a civil contest and how he is "not going to referee" these ad disputes.  Obama can go hard after him from here on out offically about his leadership (if you can show leadership of your party during your campaign, how will you govern) as well as unofficial responses if he wants (Cindy).

    by choochmac on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:39:33 AM PDT

•  How does she rate immunity, , ,

  . . . after a 71-minute speech? If she stumps and enunciates her own separate themes (the "ever-shifting and moving bar," the "living in fear," etc.) then her part of the campaign is fair game.

  by Miss Orange on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:07:46 AM PDT

  •  She doesn't rate immunity.

    But if it's wife destroying time, its time for our 527s to actively persue the destruction of Cindy as much as the rethugs try to destroy Michelle.

    by Zebras on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:15:11 AM PDT

    •  Who says this is about wife-destroying?

      Michelle is his Number One campaigner, giving 71-minute stump speeches. Since when would "destroying" Silent Cindy be any sort of reciprocity? And on what basis would Cindy be destroyed? Her criminal history? Okay, but how would that be reciprocity for criticism of Michelle's political statements? This isn't adding up.

      by Miss Orange on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:52:56 AM PDT

•  Obama will not be bullied <n/t>

  by jds1978 on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:14:47 AM PDT

  •  I think that's a big part of what he was...

    ...trying to do here:  Make it clear that he's not at home sipping latte while his wife gets hammered.  It says to all observers that he's a fighter.

    by revelwoodie on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:16:48 AM PDT

  •  he plays polictics the way he plays hoops .....

    .. to win!

    by abarefootboy on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:25:16 AM PDT

    •  ooops .. i hit the post button too early ...

      ... he plays politics the way he plays hoops ....

      with physical grace, earnest athleticism, honest sportsmanship, respect for the rules ... and to win .. !

      by abarefootboy on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:29:40 AM PDT

•  It's nice to see a man in public life who

  adores his wife, and stands up for his family.

  McCain identified himself to me as a hypocrite and coward when he literally embraced George W. Bush after those robocalls were made in North Carolina accusing McCain of having an illegitimate black child.

  That child, we all know, was his daughter who was adopted from India.

  You mess with my family? You're my sworn enemy forever.

  by Yougottahavehope on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:19:23 AM PDT

  •  Yep. Watching him pander to the wingnuts after

    that made me lose any respect I had for him.  He now says he would take advice from Rove after that crap.  Truly no values whatsoever anymore (if they ever existed).  Selling your soul is never a good deal.

    by choochmac on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:44:55 AM PDT

•  American people should have been proud

  of Michelle Obama for her honest remark. The political elites, however, should have and remained to be embarrassed, because they are responsible for the existing state of affairs in the country.

  The GOP attempt to manipulate Michelle criticism would backfire and accelerate Obama's victory. Why? Because even the most devoted Reps can see that Michelle's expressing something that's so obvious for most Americans, particularly those downtrodden, working class folks.

  If I were Obama, my response would have been: BRING IT ON, BABY...!!

  God Bless Michelle and Barack Obama!!

  by jakartaman on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:20:23 AM PDT

  •  well put jakartaman .. !!! well put.

    by abarefootboy on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:24:07 AM PDT

  •  Then he would lower himself to Bush

    by pjbamerica on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:27:03 AM PDT

    •  Hahaha.. depends on

      whose perspective, though. It could be a very interesting debate between Bush and Obama or Mc Cain and Obama on the issue of patriotism. I am sure Obama will be able to show to American public that the two are nothing but fearmongering bunches.

      by jakartaman on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:56:17 AM PDT

•  I'm am going to instead give Cindy McCain credit

  for having the heart to go and adopt a poor Bangladeshi orphan.

  However, if the GOP doesn't lay off Michelle, we'll need to talk about CM's drug addiction and other things. So, what will it be, Cindy and John? Are you going to let these goddamn GOP thugs run amok or are you going to put the foot down and stop such nonsense for good???

  In any case, CM should be made to put out her tax returns. If the Republicans and the media routinely make Dem candidates' spouses do it, why isn't fair to have CM do the same?

  by NeuvoLiberal on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:24:59 AM PDT

  •  then we will see the who is elite

    by VA Breeze on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:56:12 AM PDT

  •  How in the hell are these two things equivalent?

    GOP takes issue with statements made by Michelle in her 71-minute stump speech.

    In response, Democrats go after Cindy for her criminal history?

    Go after Cindy's criminal history all you want, but to say that it's a reasonable response to the GOP for engaging Michelle's argument is ridiculous.

    by Miss Orange on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:58:12 AM PDT

•  He was sending a message to McCain

  I was getting dressed at the gym this morning and watching that "lay off my wife" segment. And it was quite obvious that he was sending a message to the McCain campaign: lay off my wife or else. As in, if you make my wife "fair game" then Cindy McCain also becomes "fair game." McCain definitely doesn't want that kind of scrutiny of his wife, so I think he'll play ball.

  by CrustyPolemicist on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:53:21 AM PDT

  •  Maybe. But does he truly care enough about

    her to keep her from getting trashed.  I wonder these days (after hearing a little bit about their relationship).  We'll see.

    by choochmac on Mon May 19, 2008 at 10:59:51 AM PDT

•  ??? go after cindy ??

  nowhere in the video did i hear obama threaten to back at cindy.
  that the old politics and obama does not go down that street.
  kos trouble makers have to be very careful starting right now.
  obama does not need your getting down in the dirt for him because he doesnt belive in gettin down in the dirt
  i sincerely belive that the might KOS himself looked the other was in 2004 while his followers attempted thiese swift boat retorts
  and i believe kos cost kerry the election
  cease and desist  follow the example of this great, calm, spiritual  leader
  TURN THE OTHER CHEEK; BRUSH THE LINT  OFF OF OF YOUR LAPELS !!!!

  by ancientliberal on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:00:45 AM PDT

•  Where is outrage over the GOP ad using clip edit?

  They're shamelessly using the infamous and scurrilously edited clips, wherein Michelle is no longer heard to say "For the first time in my adult life, I'm REALLY PROUD of my country." Instead we hear that this is the first ime she' been "proud" of her country -- not "really proud" but just "proud"...and therein lies the rub. Michelle was speaking as a black woman who was bursting with pride about the campaign's success and the realization of her lifelong dreams of real brotherhood, not divisions by race. She was peaking about her great pride in this country. However, with the malicious edits, it seems as if she is expressing contempt for the society in which she lived for her first 40 years.

  It's my understanding that the media has ignored this bald-faced lie -- this deliberate deception regarding what Michelle said. It's as if the media and the country has forgotten that this is NOT what she said -- it is merely the way the GOP mudspin machine made it appear.

  In taking out such an important modifier they have changed the very meaning of what she said. It's almost as if they completely invented the line. They could have strung together unconnected words and come up with the same thing -- would that really have been any more dishonest?

  Even Obama needs to make it clear that this ad, paid for by a state party organ is deliberately deceptive. It's not just that they're going after his wife -- it's that they've lied to do it. They might as well have put together a photoshopped image of her embracing Farrakhan, os ome other such nonsense.

  by FischFry on Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:10:59 AM PDT